Is there anyone to say hello to?

Hi Edgar. I am based n Hungary. How do you like Sweden? 

I am glad you asked me that question, and happy to answer to you Nexus11 

Whatever is my opinion about Sweden, in all surveys it is and have long been in the top 10 countries worldwide. I think that the surveys forgot our Game of Thrones winter that is pretty scary, that swedish people is maybe not the best country for an autistic/ADHD 26 year old male. 

Also the language isn´t the funniest, the culture is kind of boring (my opinion). I dream of leaving this country for France. 

I do however think Sweden is a great choise for people fleeing from war, poverty ect as here newcomers are very well received, probably best in the world. I am born here so I´ve just got used to everything.

Did you like my answer, do you have any other questions about Sweden? I´ve no clue how Hungary is btw. 

How do you deal with the long, dark winters? Is it very expensive there?

I knew a Hungarian woman who went to join her partner, who'd received a scholarship at a uni there. She said she would never come back. She loved the cleanliness and efficiency of Sweden - and no doubt, the way that things in general work there. You pay high taxes, but you get so much more in return: excellent health service, childcare, housing, etc. She hated the sun, so she didn't seem to mind the dark days! - I would. The cold may account for some of the dourness, you mention.

Winters can be long here, but on the other hand you do get summers!!! I do like a bit of sun, which you don't get in the UK usually! Alas, no sea beaches, but there are lakes. 

Here, taxes are very high, and you don't see a great deal in return, other than an improved infrastructure in the city. I live in Budapest, which is a truly beautiful city, though often it is too much eat-sleep-work. The people can be a little dour too, maybe too many disappointing surprises. You do get the feeling that the political situation will never change much here, I see a lot of parallels in some ways with what is happening in the UK, except that here it's more one person than a whole group of invested interests.  

The assumption can sometimes be that all westerners are swimming with money, which is not always true. It can be difficult to meet people socially as there can be a tendency to only socialise with those with benefits, to practise their English for example. I never got on with the expat community, which seems to be even more expedient, and most of these people aren't on Hungarian wages either. I've noticed too that the most envious people here are usually the least timid, or brave. It's a lot more family-centric than in the UK, and people can be clannish. I speak Hungarian, but not to native proficiency, never had the time or money for that. However have now been part of a good life-drawing group that meets regularly. 

On the whole it's a pretty safe place, and you can use public transport at any time in the night without being hassled. 

Wnere I live there are lots of gardens and tower blocks, but these do have views, unfortunately not much in the way of restaurants, you have to take the metro for that. 

Yes, I lived in the UK before coming to Hungary. 

I am quite happy here now, I have a really nice flat, and it's mine. It has often been really tough though, and immigration, before Hungary joined the EU was a nightmare. Teaching is low paid, but it assured me a day job, which I was never able to get in the UK, and I wasn't prepared to end up being forced into workfare fodder. It can also be pretty thankless, especially when going to companies. I never got on with split shifts and the early starts, and never had enough sleep, not being a morning person. Teaching classes of kids is another ball game. But things have eased a lot in the last few years, and I hope to be able to retire soon. In effect that means I will have something like a basic income rather than paying contributions every month, making it easier to focus on Art and putting on more exhibitions.

I know I couldn't deal with the dark in Sweden - as said my old friend was wouldn't have missed the sun. The winters get me down too, so as spring mellows into summer, that's always something to look forward to.

Have you ever thought of moving away from Sweden, if the culture is that difficult?

I've heard about the rapes. I believe it's created a lot of bad blood between certain communities? I understand Norway has worked hard to teach newcomers that rape is, not an acceptable form of interaction.

Scandinavia gets it right in do many other ways though. 

For me I just can´t deal with cold and darkness because it is so depressing. How people can love winter more than sun is very interesting. 

Are you happy in Hungary and have you been living in the UK before? 

Europe is cool, all countries should achieve high standards like Scandinavia. Still how good it is, the winter just makes everything bad. I think that I suffer from Seasonal affective disorder.

Also, swedish people are very hard to interact for me atleast. That just makes the isolation even worse. 

In Sweden anyone with a job can survive pretty much, that is even like a political thing, that everyone should be able to afford living, food ect. 

The absolute biggest problem is Sweden is rapes and gang problems. 

Sweden have more rapes per capita in the whole world than any other country. They are listed on number 4 worldwide, but dark numbers are so high

For me I just can´t deal with cold and darkness because it is so depressing. How people can love winter more than sun is very interesting. 

Are you happy in Hungary and have you been living in the UK before? 

Europe is cool, all countries should achieve high standards like Scandinavia. Still how good it is, the winter just makes everything bad. I think that I suffer from Seasonal affective disorder.

Also, swedish people are very hard to interact for me atleast. That just makes the isolation even worse. 

In Sweden anyone with a job can survive pretty much, that is even like a political thing, that everyone should be able to afford living, food ect. 

The absolute biggest problem is Sweden is rapes and gang problems. 

Sweden have more rapes per capita in the whole world than any other country. They are listed on number 4 worldwide, but dark numbers are so high

Yes, I lived in the UK before coming to Hungary. 

I am quite happy here now, I have a really nice flat, and it's mine. It has often been really tough though, and immigration, before Hungary joined the EU was a nightmare. Teaching is low paid, but it assured me a day job, which I was never able to get in the UK, and I wasn't prepared to end up being forced into workfare fodder. It can also be pretty thankless, especially when going to companies. I never got on with split shifts and the early starts, and never had enough sleep, not being a morning person. Teaching classes of kids is another ball game. But things have eased a lot in the last few years, and I hope to be able to retire soon. In effect that means I will have something like a basic income rather than paying contributions every month, making it easier to focus on Art and putting on more exhibitions.

I know I couldn't deal with the dark in Sweden - as said my old friend was wouldn't have missed the sun. The winters get me down too, so as spring mellows into summer, that's always something to look forward to.

Have you ever thought of moving away from Sweden, if the culture is that difficult?

I've heard about the rapes. I believe it's created a lot of bad blood between certain communities? I understand Norway has worked hard to teach newcomers that rape is, not an acceptable form of interaction.

Scandinavia gets it right in do many other ways though.